Interspecific tree named ‘Flavor Finale’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree [ Prunus salicina× ( Prunus salicina×Prunus armeniaca )]. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Heavy and regular fruit production.   2. Producing fruit ripening in the late maturity season.   3. Fruit with firm flesh, good handling and storage quality.   4. The tree having vigorous, upright growth.   5. Fruit having firm, reddish yellow flesh with very good flavor and eating quality.   6. Fruit with high soluble solids (Brix) averaging 18.2°.

Latin name of the Genus and Species of the Plant Claimed: [Prunussalicina×(Prunus salicina×Prunus armeniaca)].

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against thisbackground of our activities that the present variety of interspecifictree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimentalorchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of plum trees, which are known to us, andmentioned herein, are ‘Queen Ann’ Plum (non-patented), ‘Casselman’ Plum(non-patented), ‘King David’ Plum (non-patented), and ‘Red Beaut’ Plum(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree [Prunussalicina×(Prunus salicina×Prunus armeniaca)] was originated by us in ourexperimental orchard, located near Modesto, Calif., as a firstgeneration cross between 2 proprietary parents with field identificationnumbers ‘57RC99’ and ‘4G1180’. The maternal parent (57RC99) originatedfrom crosses between the following plums, ‘King David’ Plum(non-patented), ‘Queen Ann’ Plum (non-patented) and ‘Casselman’ Plum(non-patented). The paternal parent being the plumcot ‘4G1180’originated as a selected seedling from open pollinated ‘Red Beaut’ Plum(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539) seed. A large number of seedlings from thisfirst generation cross were budded to older trees of ‘Nemaguard’Rootstock (non-patented), to accelerate rapid fruit production forevaluation. Under close and careful observation, one such seedlingexhibited desirable tree growth and fruit characteristics and wasselected in 1996 for additional asexual propagation andcommercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecifictree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new variety of interspecific tree (Plum×Plumcot) is of large size,vigorous, upright growth and a productive and regular bearer of mediumsize, clingstone fruit with reddish yellow flesh, very good flavor andeating quality. The fruit is further characterized by having anattractive reddish maroon skin color, being relatively uniform in sizethroughout the tree, holding firm on the tree for approximately 3 weeksafter maturity (shipping ripe) and having good handling and shippingquality. In comparison to the grandparent ‘Casselman’ Plum(non-patented), the variety to which the instant cultivar is mostsimilar to, the fruit of the new variety is darker in color, moreuniform in size and maturity, has higher soluble solids (Brix), heavierproduction of fruit and is approximately 10 days later in maturity. Thewinter chilling requirement being approximately the same for bothvarieties.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in its suture plane toshow flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shippingripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in acolor representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 8 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor in accordance with Munsell Book of Color.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large. Usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height for            economical harvesting of fruit.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height the            first growing season. Varies with soil type, fertility,            climatic conditions and cultural practices.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright. Crotch angle approximately 25°            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Heavy, thinning and spacing of fruit necessary            for desired market size fruit.        -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set 6 consecutive years, no            alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self sterile, pollenizer required.        -   Density.—Medium dense, pruned to vase shape to increase            sunlight and air movement to center of tree to enhance fruit            color and health of fruit spurs.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 800 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 48.2 cm at 17.7 cm above            ground on an 8 year old tree.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 5YR 2/2 to 7.5YR 5/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 17.2 cm at 0.8 meters            above ground.        -   Surface texture.—New growth smooth. Mature growth medium            rough, roughness increases with age of branch.        -   Lenticels.—Large. Average number 21 in a 25.8 square cm            surface. Average length 4.1 mm. Average width 1.3 mm. Color            varies from 2.5YR 5/8 to 5YR 5/1.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 5/8 to 7.5YR 3/6, varies            with exposure to direct sunlight. Old growth varies from 5YR            2/4 to 7.5YR 2/4, varies with age of growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 78.7 mm. Average width 43.0 mm.        -   Form.—Obovate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cunate.        -   Margin.—Doubly serrate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slightly            indented over midrib and leaf veins, glabrous. Lower surface            relatively smooth, small ridges created by midrib and            pinnate venation, glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 15.0 mm. Average width 1.4 mm.            Longitudinally grooved. Glabrous. Color varies from 2.5GY            7/6 to 5GY 7/6.        -   Glands.—Type— globose. Small to medium. Average length            0.9 mm. Average diameter 0.5 mm. Average number 2, varies            from 2 to 4. Primarily located on upper portion of petiole            and base of leaf blade. Color varies from 5GY 7/6 to 2.5YR            5/6.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 3/4 to 5GY 3/6. Lower            surface varies from 5GY 5/4 to 5GY 4/4. Midvein color varies            from 2.5GY 9/6 to 5GY 8/4.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Small. Average length 10.4 mm. Average diameter 5.5            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California.        -   Form.—Conical, becomes slightly elongated just before            opening.        -   Pedicel.—Surface — glabrous. Average length 9.1 mm. Average            width 0.6 mm. Color varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 7/6.        -   Color.—N 9.5/.        -   Number of buds per spur.—Average 9, varies from 2 to 18.-   Flowers:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average height 9.7 mm. Average diameter 16.6            mm.        -   Petals.—Number — 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Form —            obovate, narrows at point of attachment. Size — small to            medium. Average length 9.4 mm. Average width 7.3 mm. Margin            — sinuate. Both surfaces glabrous. Color — N 9.5/.        -   Sepals.—Number — 5, alternately arranged to petals. Shape —            triangular, apex rounded. Margin — entire. Size — small.            Average length 2.9 mm. Average width 2.0 mm. Both surfaces            glabrous. Color — upper surface varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY            5/8. Lower surface varies from 2.5GY 5/6 to 5GY 5/6.        -   Stamens.—Average number 27. Average filament length 6.5 mm.            Filament color N 9.5/. Anther color varies from 2.5Y 8/12 to            5Y 8/10.        -   Pollen.—Self sterile, pollenizer required. Color varies from            2.5Y 7/10 to 5Y 7/10.        -   Pistil.—Usually 1, varies from 1 to 2. Average length            8.8 mm. Position of stigma approximately same height as            anthers. Surface glabrous. Color varies from 2.5GY 8/6 to            5GY 8/6.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate aroma.        -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 26, 2004. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 6, 2004, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Color.—N 9.5/.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average 2 , varies from 1 to            3.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 12.1 mm. Average width 0.6 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 7/8.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 10, 2004.        -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 17, 2004, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Medium. Average diameter axially 55.0 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 59.6 mm. Average weight 119.3            grams. Average weight varies slightly with fertility of the            soil, amount of thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Cordate.        -   Suture.—Shallow, extends from base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth, slightly lipped.        -   Apex.—Varies from slight projection to slightly pointed.        -   Base.—Varies from flat to slightly retuse.        -   Cavity.—Rounded to elongated in suture plane. Average depth            4.9 mm. Average breadth 8.4 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 12.6 mm. Average            diameter 1.7 mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5GY 7/8 to 2.5GY 6/6.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Firm, slightly firmer than ‘Casselman’ Plum            (non-patented).        -   Aroma.—Slight.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, good balance between acid and sugar.        -   Juice.—Moderate, enhances flavor.        -   Brix.—Average 18.2°, varies slightly with amount of fruit            per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 8/6 to 10YR 7/8 near center to 5R            4/10 near skin surface. Pit cavity varies from 7.5YR 5/6 to            7.5YR 5/8.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Bloom.—Moderate amount, complete coverage.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 2.5Y 8.5/6 to 5Y 8/4.            Overspread with 2.5R 3/8 to 5R 2/6. Very small, randomly            spaced, areas of ground color exposed to skin surface giving            a speckled pattern.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—None.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Medium. Average length 27.0 mm. Average width 16.8 mm.            Average thickness 9.9 mm.        -   Form.—Obovoid.        -   Base.—Pointed.        -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 0.9 mm.        -   Surface.—Lightly pitted throughout, one small groove on each            side of suture.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from the suture            plane.        -   Ridges.—One small, narrow ridge along groove near suture.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 5/6 to 7.5YR 4/6 when dry.-   Kernal:    -   -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo.        -   Size.—Small. Average length 13.8 mm. Average width 9.1 mm.            Average thickness 5.6 mm.        -   Skin.—Color varies from 7.5YR 5/8 to 10YR 7/6.-   Use: Dessert.    -   -   Market.—Local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, stored 2 weeks at 38° to 42° F., fruit was    still firm without internal breakdown or appreciable loss of flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, minimal skin scarring or bruising of flesh    during picking and packing trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, (Plum×Plumcot),substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its largesize, vigorous, upright growth and being a regular and productive bearerof medium size, firm, reddish yellow flesh with very good flavor andeating quality; the fruit is further characterized by being relativelyuniform in size throughout the tree and holding firm on the treeapproximately 3 weeks after maturity (shipping ripe).